Joanna Gruesome

Joanna Gruesome sounds like a collision between a vintage C86 mixtape and a hardcore punk show. They specialize in a brand of noise pop that balances saccharine, jangling hooks with sudden, violent outbursts of distortion and shouting. It is music that feels perpetually on the verge of falling apart, held together by sharp songwriting and a relentless rhythmic drive.

What makes them distinctive is the friction between their influences. While many noise pop bands lean into the 'noise' as a hazy wash, this band uses it as a weapon, punctuating delicate indie pop structures with the aggression of riot grrrl and the speed of thrash. The dual-vocal interplay often pits melodic sweetness against raw, unbridled shouting, creating a tension that mirrors their lyrical themes of anxiety and social friction.

Start with 'Weird Sister' to hear them at their most cohesive. It captures the essence of their Cardiff roots and their ability to write three-minute anthems that are as catchy as they are abrasive. It is the ideal entry point for anyone who likes their pop music with a significant amount of grit.